Soccer Question (2 Viewers)

[Wheels]

You got some guys on the team making 50k a year. Thats garbage IMO

yep and Horst who was starting at CB before he got hurt is in the $42,000 range.

Also Goldthwaite is making like $132,000 which is waaaaaaaaaay too much for him.

 

[agoo]

Thanks for the analysis, appreciate it.

I think soccer in the US is a little more competitive at the young age than you are giving credit. Many kids are playing competitive club soccer at U11 level and most clubs start them younger in a developmental league (much higher caliber than rec soccer). Westside, THUSC andFC Ptd (a club started by UoP) , I hear these clubs that play kids year round starting at U10 are the funnel to division 1 play (not high school).

But I get your point that US is way behind Europe and agree. I also think Europe's best athletes end up playing soccer where US best athletes end up playing other sports.

That's the problem. European kids aren't playing for competitive purposes, they're playing for development. Winning your U10 league shouldn't matter. Learning how to control a pass should be the focus. Guys like Eddie Johnson go flying through the youth ranks without any technical ability because they can physically dominate in their age group, then when things like touch and creativity matter, they're useless.

I agree with your assessment on where the best athletes are going. That's why we need to develop soccer brains, not just guys who can run past their opponent because speed is relative to who you are running against, but knowing how to get yourself into space to get a shot off is a skill that works at any time against an opponent. Speed is also irrelevant if you don't have the touch on the ball to put it in space for you to get up to top speed and go by your defender. Also, I'd say that in terms of straight athletics, the US National Team is as good as or better than any in speed, strength, and size, but we're lacking in vision and touch.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

That's the problem. European kids aren't playing for competitive purposes, they're playing for development. Winning your U10 league shouldn't matter. Learning how to control a pass should be the focus. Guys like Eddie Johnson go flying through the youth ranks without any technical ability because they can physically dominate in their age group, then when things like touch and creativity matter, they're useless.

I agree with your assessment on where the best athletes are going. That's why we need to develop soccer brains, not just guys who can run past their opponent because speed is relative to who you are running against, but knowing how to get yourself into space to get a shot off is a skill that works at any time against an opponent. Speed is also irrelevant if you don't have the touch on the ball to put it in space for you to get up to top speed and go by your defender. Also, I'd say that in terms of straight athletics, the US National Team is as good as or better than any in speed, strength, and size, but we're lacking in vision and touch.

The reputable Oregon soccer clubs focus on development over winning as well (many coaches are European trying to bring that mentality to the clubs). But I'm not here to debate US is doing everything Europe is doing. I'm sure US is trying desperately to replicate the best they can what they do in Europe. Just wanted to point out that soccer in the US is way beyond rec teams and "boot ball" until high school. (There is a whole forum dedicated to soccer talk among the clubs in Oregon. And each state has their own forum. Pretty intense how serious some of these kids take their soccer paying thousands for year round programs and most A players have their own personal coaches as well starting at age 10)

I have heard the same analysis that you are talking about. Even when you have speed and athletic ability, the US players lack the European soccer mentality. I think they use Donavan as a example of an athletic and fast US player who just couldn't hang in Europe play.

Maybe if sportscenter broke down soccer games as often and the way they do for basketball and football, kids would be thinking soccer strategy all the time.

 

[Wheels]

Donovan did decent in his stint with Everton

 

[Colonel Ronan]

That's the problem. European kids aren't playing for competitive purposes, they're playing for development. Winning your U10 league shouldn't matter. Learning how to control a pass should be the focus. Guys like Eddie Johnson go flying through the youth ranks without any technical ability because they can physically dominate in their age group, then when things like touch and creativity matter, they're useless.

I agree with your assessment on where the best athletes are going. That's why we need to develop soccer brains, not just guys who can run past their opponent because speed is relative to who you are running against, but knowing how to get yourself into space to get a shot off is a skill that works at any time against an opponent. Speed is also irrelevant if you don't have the touch on the ball to put it in space for you to get up to top speed and go by your defender. Also, I'd say that in terms of straight athletics, the US National Team is as good as or better than any in speed, strength, and size, but we're lacking in vision and touch.

To further your argument, I'd even say that the US are superior in speed, strength, and size.

 

[agoo]

To further your argument, I'd even say that the US are superior in speed, strength, and size.

The Germans popped into my head when I was typing that. I think Philip Lahm was their only starter under 6 foot at the World Cup, so they're taller than the US. In terms of those categories and no one else is close to the US and Germany.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

The Germans popped into my head when I was typing that. I think Philip Lahm was their only starter under 6 foot at the World Cup, so they're taller than the US. In terms of those categories and no one else is close to the US and Germany.

Yep, good point. Germany have incredible athletes.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Is height an advantage in soccer?

Seems like who the best players are not related to height. Messi comes to mind.

 

[Wheels]

Is height an advantage in soccer?

Seems like who the best players are not related to height. Messi comes to mind.

It can help immensely when trying to win those 50/50 balls in the air to maintain/regain posession. So it doesnt hurt to have the height. God Save us if there ever comes along someone with Messi's skills and is 6'3"

 

[Natebishop3]

Is height an advantage in soccer?

Seems like who the best players are not related to height. Messi comes to mind.

The Germans are so bruising and physical that they use their size to their advantage. They're really a site to behold and I truly enjoy watching them play.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

Is height an advantage in soccer?

Seems like who the best players are not related to height. Messi comes to mind.

Most people don't think so but when I compare Arsenal's current squad with the team back in 2004 I see a big difference.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

It can help immensely when trying to win those 50/50 balls in the air to maintain/regain posession. So it doesnt hurt to have the height. God Save us if there ever comes along someone with Messi's skills and is 6'3"

Yeah, I think his name is Thierry Henry.

Guys, if you have time to burn, PLEASE check out these fantastic Henry videos. If you don't know how much of a legend he was at Arsenal and how fucking amazing he was before his move to Barca, this will give you a good idea. 90% of his goals are absolutely worldclass.

There are seven parts, no shitty techno music, all live commentary. It's definitely worth your time.

[video=youtube;3SiWnKPReKw]

 

[Colonel Ronan]

Or if you're lazy, check his top 10:

[video=youtube;POJ_JpsvWPg]

 

[Wheels]

Yeah, I think his name is Thierry Henry.

Guys, if you have time to burn, PLEASE check out these fantastic Henry videos. If you don't know how much of a legend he was at Arsenal and how fucking amazing he was before his move to Barca, this will give you a good idea. 90% of his goals are absolutely worldclass.

There are seven parts, no shitty techno music, all live commentary. It's definitely worth your time.

[video=youtube;3SiWnKPReKw]

touche' on Henry, even though he is 6'2" (HA!!)

but yeah.. God help us if someone on the other team has those skills and height

 

[agoo]

Is height an advantage in soccer?

Seems like who the best players are not related to height. Messi comes to mind.

Its not an advantage or a disadvantage. It just opens up more options. We can have Tim Howard take a free kick from near midfield and bomb it into the box to find Onyewu, Goodson, Bocanegra, DeMerit, Spector, Bradley, Jones, Edu, Dempsey, Bunbury or Altidore if we are desperate for a goal in the final minutes of play. We're also generally dangerous on set pieces because the other team will inevitably have to put a midget on one of those guys. However, in the World Cup Spain was pretty dangerous on corners by having Xavi and Iniesta play the ball short to each other before sending it in.

If you go through the all-time greats among attacking players, all of the guys 6'0" or taller are recent (Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane, Henry). At the same time, Spain are the champions of the World with a group of short folk and Messi is the best player in the world.

That said, I don't think being tall will ever be seen as a bad thing. Whether or not its a good thing though is up to how you play.

 

[Wheels]

I guess Zidane is a better player than me.